Bhagwan Jhulelal is the patron saint of the Sindhi community. Cheti Chand is celebrated on the second day of Chaitra Shukla Paksha as per the Hindu Panchang commemorating the birth anniversary of Ishtadeva Uderolal popularly known as Bhagwan Jhulelal. Cheti Chand usually falls on the day or one day after Yugadi and Gudi Padwa. This day is held in high regard and considered very auspicious by the community.

It is known as Cheti Chand because the new moon makes its first appearance after the no-moon day (Amavasya) in the Sindhi month of Chet. Water said to be the elixir of life is worshipped on this day. The saint was born in Bharat’s Sindh region in the tenth century.

There are several legends connected to the birth of Bhagwan Jhulelal. An Islamic tyrant named Mirkshah was the ruler of Sindh. He was threatening Sindhi Hindus to either convert to Islam or face death. The community prayed to the river deity Bhagwan Varuna to save them from the tyrant.

They worshipped Varun Dev on the banks of the Sindhu river for forty days continuously. After forty days of ardent worship, their prayers were answered. The deity assured them through a prophecy that they would be saved from the tyrant by a divine child born to a couple residing in Nasarpur. Sant Jhulelal was the child who was born to save the Sindhi Hindus.

In accordance with the prophecy, a child was born to Devaki and Ratanchand Lohano who was named Udaichand and was given the nickname Uderolal. His parents started calling him Jhulelal after his cradle miraculously started rocking by itself. Mirkshah tried to kill Jhulelal several times but could never succeed. After several failed attempts he gave up and accepted his defeat. Thus, the Sindhi community was saved from his tyranny.

On this day Sindhis go to a nearby river, lake, or water body with a murti of Bhagwan Jhulelal and Behrano Sahib (an oil lamp, crystal sugar, cardamom, grapes, and Akho which is a pinch of rice mixed with milk and flour). Jyot Jagan, a five-wicked lamp made of wheat flour is lit. The Behrano Sahib is submerged in the water followed by the singing of Pallav invoking the blessings of Bhagwan.

Prasad is distributed to everyone. Sindhis also undertake charity activities such as donating food and clothes to the needy. This is also a day to be spent with family and relatives and partake in sumptuous meals together.

HinduPost wishes its readers a very happy Cheti Chand, Gudi Padwa, Yugadi, and Hindu Navvarsh.